The Pakistan People's Party on Thursday rejected the government's decision to seek the help of Britain's Scotland Yard to probe the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto [Images] and demanded an investigation by the United Nations.

PPP leader Babar Awan said that the move to rope in the Scotland Yard to assist Pakistani investigating agencies was a deliberate attempt to screen out the culprits. The investigation into Bhutto's assassination on December 27 should be done only by the UN, he told a news conference in Islamabad.

Awan also flayed the Election Commission's decision to delay the general election till February 18 in the aftermath of Bhutto's killing. He alleged that the government had planned to delay the polls even before the assassination of Bhutto, who was 'the symbol of democracy'.

Awan said that the PPP has decided to take part in the elections in order to save the federation. "Political activities should be carried out and the PPP wants the people's importance to be recognised," he added.